This article covers the origins of the Indian community in Fiji, its size today, India's cultural centre and cultural programmes in Fiji, scholarships, and the awards given to members of the diaspora. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of June 2026, and figures are given as of the dates the brief states.

Origins of the Indian community

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, India's links with Fiji began in 1879, when Indian labourers were taken to Fiji under the indenture system by the British to work on sugar-cane plantations. Between 1879 and 1916, around 60,553 Indians were taken to Fiji. The indenture system was abolished in 1920, and in the early 20th century Indian traders started arriving in Fiji.

The community today

The brief states that Fiji's population includes around 300,000 persons of Indian origin (37%) and around 2,300 Indian nationals (2024). The Indian nationals work mainly in IT, finance, education, healthcare and hospitality.

Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) was established in 1972 as India's first cultural centre abroad. It offers classes in music, dance, Hindi and Yoga, and regularly organises cultural programmes and events.

Following the 1987 coups, both the High Commission of India and the Indian Cultural Centre in Fiji were closed in May 1990. The Cultural Centre reopened in February 2005.

Hindi conferences

The First Regional Hindi Conference was held in Suva in January 2020. It was followed by the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi in February 2023, which was inaugurated jointly by the Fijian President and EAM.

Girmit Day

As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorative stamps were issued in 2022 on the occasion of the 143rd Girmit Day. Girmit Remembrance Day was observed in New Delhi on 14 May 2022, with MoS Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh as Chief Guest.

Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh visited Fiji from 14-16 May 2023 and attended the 144th Girmit Day celebrations in Suva on 15 May 2023 as Guest of Honour. Shri Praful Patel, Administrator of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep, also attended. The 146th Girmit Day celebrations in May 2025 were attended by Shri Pabitra Margherita, MoS for External Affairs and Textiles, who was guest of honour at the commemoration in Labasa.

Yoga

International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually in Fiji since 2015, with wide participation, including by the Fijian PM and Deputy PM. As part of the PM's 12-point FIPIC Action Plan, Yoga Centres were set up in Labasa (2024) and Seaqaqa (2025).

Tamil teaching

India-funded Tamil language teaching programmes were launched in Fiji in 2024. According to the brief, two teachers were deployed from India for the programmes.

Scholarships and youth programmes

At the FIPIC-III Summit in 2023, India announced 1,000 Sagar Amrut Scholarships for Pacific Islands, with 100 a year for Fiji. Fiji also benefits from 20 ICCR scholarships each year, including those for Indian culture and music.

The brief adds that during the last five years a large number of Indo-Fijians have visited India through the Know India Programme (KIP).

Diaspora awards

In January 2025, at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), Swami Sanyuktanand of Fiji Sevashram Sangha received the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Award from President Smt. Droupadi Murmu for exceptional community service. Fiji's Sai Prema Foundation received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) in 2021.

The brief lists these other PBSA awardees from Fiji:

  • former PM Mahendra Chaudhry (2004)
  • golfer Vijay Singh (2005)
  • late Sir Moti Tika Ram (2007)
  • late Y.P. Reddy (2010)
  • Girmit Council (2010)
  • Ramakrishna Mission (2014)
  • late Vinod Patel (2017)